US envoy Steve Witkoff held “useful and constructive” talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednes­day, a Kremlin aide said, two days before the expiry of a deadline set by President Donald Trump for Russia to agree to peace in Ukraine or face new sanctions.

Witkoff met Putin for around three hours on a last-minute mission to seek a breakthrough in the 3.5-year war that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said the two sides had exchanged “signals” on the Ukraine issue and discussed the possibility of developing strategic cooperation between Moscow and Washi­ngton, but declined to give more details until Witkoff had reported back to Trump.

Russian investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who earlier greeted Witkoff on arrival and strolled with him in a park near the Kremlin, posted on social media: “Dialogue will prevail.”

There was no immediate comment from the US or Ukraine following the talks. In images shared by Russ­ian outlets, the two men — who have met several times before  were seen smiling and shaking hands in a gilded hall.The US president has said Russia could face hefty sanctions or see secondary sanctions imposed against all those who trade with it if it doesn’t take steps to end the “horrible war” with Ukraine.

‘Pak mercenaries fighting for Russia’

Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that “mercenaries” from China and Pakistan, along with a few other nations, are fighting alongside Russian forces in the ongoing conflict. Zelensky’s statement came after he met Ukrainian soldiers fighting in the Vovchansk direction. 

He stated that soldiers in this sector have mentioned the participation of “mercenaries” from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and African countries in the war and vowed to respond to them.